November 15, 2007

Superstitions - Taken With A Pinch of Salt

Superstitions are part of the fabric of life. Whether we choose to follow superstitions, lies in our own personal beliefs. Superstitions are interesting if for no other reason than to understand where some wedding traditions originate from.

Here are some of the more common superstitions that you may or may not have heard of:

• Tying tin cans to the back of the newlywed's car is good luck because the noise will frighten away evil spirits.
• When a newly married couple enters their home, the groom should carry the bride over the threshold because if the bride should stumble entering the home, it is a bad omen. Demons were said to haunt doorways and could cause the bride to trip.
• Flower girls carried sheaves of wheat, a symbol of growth, fertility, and renewal. Later, flowers replaced herbs and took on meanings all their own.
• After toasting their new life together the bride and groom should smash the glasses that they toasted with. That way the glasses are never used for a better purpose.
• In Victorian times it was believed lucky to marry on the day during the week that the groom was born, with the luckiest day to marry being on the groom's actual birthday.
• Saying your vows when the hour hand on the clock is going upwards means you will work together in your married life. Saying I Do when the hour hand is down is bad luck.
• If a bride is kissed by a chimney sweep on her wedding day she will have good luck, wealth and happiness. This comes from a legend of a Sweep who was on top of a chimney when he slipped and fell--- but his coat tails caught on a drain pipe preventing him from falling to the ground. A young woman heard his call, looked out her window, pulled him in and saved his life. The gathered crowd cheered and thought how lucky he was. He ended up by falling in love with the young lady and they were married, so everyone believed that it was lucky to be a Chimney Sweep---or to be with one---or to touch one---or to kiss one
• For a long time, bridesmaids wore dresses much like the bride's gown, while ushers dressed in clothing that was similar to the groom's attire. This tradition began for protection against evil rather than for uniformity; if evil spirits or jealous suitors attempted to harm the newlyweds, they would be confused as to which two people were the bride and groom.

The best advice when dealing with superstitions is to treat them like any other wedding accessory by accepting the ones that appeal to you and throwing out the rest. Take them, with a pinch of salt.

©2007 Weddingstar Inc.